2018 Year In Review - Work!

At the beginning of 2018, both Darrell and I were still living in Spain and my working life was practically non existent. I was still employed at the bar I was working for in Plaza Mayor, but my hours had been reduced down to a bare minimum and unknown to me at the time, I had been taken off contract during the less lucrative winter season. I was deeply unhappy with this side of life in Spain, where wages are low, employers generally clueless about the needs of their staff, (in my case anyway) and the long term chances of obtaining a decent job are virtually nil. The Spanish give jobs to their own kind, in stark contrast to Britain, so the only positions available are through the English speaking Expat community. This was the biggest downside for me, getting involved with the wrong person, someone who took advantage of me and others and only thought about their own self gratification. If I had worked at any of the other bars and restaurants in the area, life would have been far better, The moral of this story, is ignore the bullsh*t spouted by some unscrupulous residents and stick to those who are genuine.

When I came back to the UK, things immediately began to change for the better. I am working more today after six months in Britain, than I did during my three years in Gran Alacant. When I returned to these shores in May, I immediately set about getting a job to tide me over. My first stop was Cancer Research, not for paid employment, but to do some voluntary work, something I am very used too and always enjoy. Working with Zerina, Jo and Sam was a great introduction to English life, reconnecting with the country I left behind in 2016. Today I am still working there on a Monday and wouldn't change that for the World. I look forward to my shift and regard it as an important part of my life, giving me an important social outlet as well as helping to make money for charity. Wherever my working life takes me now, I will always have time for this fantastic organisation,.

Shortly after starting at Cancer Research I also got a job in a local pub. This is a position I enjoy and rather like my charity work, has become more of a communal conduit. Working for an English bar, has been a roller coaster ride, so different from the establishment I worked for in Spain. The Newcome is busy, has a regular clientele and is the hub of the local community. Working at LoungeD, there were very few customers, even less regulars and it was actually a very lonely place to work, some days you wouldn't see a soul. Once again, I intend to continue working for This lively public house, no matter what else I do. My time here has been an eye opener and I am lucky enough to have made some wonderful friends along the way.

My main job, the one that pays the bills is of course Tesco, a company I enjoy working for. I am employed by this large superstore along with over three hundred others and It really has a community feel about it, despite its size. Everyone has been welcoming and I felt at home from day one. Most importantly, the pay and benefits are good and I am more than able to sustain myself, a rather different story from the Spain I left behind. Large organisations like Tesco are not only successful because of their retail prowess and position in the marketplace, but also because of the way they treat staff, ensuring people like me are looked after during their working careers. They are flexible and more than willing to fit around my other commitments, which is also a bonus. I hope to continue working for Britain's largest supermarket for the foreseeable future, it suits me today at my time of life!

Finally my working life wouldn't be complete without writing. I continue to write for various publications both here and in Spain as well as producing this blog. My spare time consists of writing as often as I can, because this is the other, creative side of me, something I can express through the power of words, that makes the blood pump through my veins. This is another non negotiable side to my life that is always at the forefront of my thoughts. There are many future opportunities in the pipeline as we move towards 2019 and I am hopeful that I can expand on my writing, encompassing different aspects of my life. I am also writing a book and am half way through this process. This is not a short term vanity project but something I am happy to add to when I have the time. If it takes me a lifetime to write then so be it!

2018 has been a great working year for me and it is only going to get better in the New Year. The stagnation I lived through in Spain is now a distant memory and my old positive self is back, rejecting the negativity of the past and those whose agenda conflicted with my own. There are many downsides to living in the UK, but work isn't one of them. I have been able to establish myself firmly back into British life. Jobs are abundant here, unemployment low and opportunities many, for those who are prepared to work hard. I am happy to be home and even happier to be rebuilding a life that was put on hold for far too long!

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